France’s actions following reports on the conduct of the NSA

The Defense Council, which met today, examined the nature of the reports released by the press yesterday evening about the period 2006-2012, which concern the conduct of the NSA.

These are unacceptable actions, which have already prompted things to be clarified between the United States and France, particularly at the end of 2013 at the time of the first revelations and during the French President’s visit to the United States in February 2014.

Commitments were made by the American authorities. They must be remembered and strictly honored.

France, which has further stepped up its monitoring and protection system, will tolerate no actions which jeopardize its security and the protection of its interests.

President Hollande called President Obama this afternoon to discuss the disclosure of NSA documents in the French press relating to eavesdropping carried out between 2006 and 2012.

The exchange provided an opportunity to clarify the principles that should govern relations between allies with respect to intelligence.

President Obama unequivocally reaffirmed his strong commitment, undertaken in November 2013 following the Snowden affair, and already reaffirmed during the state visit in February 2014, to put an end to the practices that may have taken place in the past and which were unacceptable between allies.

French intelligence officials will travel to Washington very soon to strengthen cooperation.

Statement by Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development - Paris, June 24 2015

I summoned the U.S ambassador to France to tell her the following: The revelations that were made and published in the papers reflect unacceptable practices. It is unacceptable that the conversations, and even the private conversations, of three French presidents – Jacques Chirac, Nicolas Sarkozy, and François Hollande – were subject to eavesdropping. This is unacceptable, coming from an ally and friend like the United States.

This morning, President Hollande convened a Defense Council, the Prime Minister addressed the National Assembly, the President had President Obama on the phone, and I summoned the ambassador to tell her three things.

First, that it was unacceptable; second, that we want to know if these practices have ended; and third, that ending these practices must apply not only to the President but much more broadly, because while we understand that there may be eavesdropping when it comes to terrorists, this has nothing to do with eavesdropping on allied leaders and friends. And I asked the ambassador to provide us with answers promptly.

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